markomalley

OK, I just put some masking tape over the left side of the screen. No more problem. Heavens, I wouldn't want to interfere with a man's marital bliss. Post away!

Steve!, Could you at least change her avatar for her while she's going through this difficult phase in life? There are only so many galloping tiggers! I can deal with at one time! Thanks for your consideration, ;)-->

"Two, I never brought in 'separation of church and state' into the Greco-Roman models. You did that." True, but I believed it was implicit in your post, with the opening statement that said, "What I was referring to wasn't church polity, but to a civil government of a country," followed by the correlation you drew between the governments of two ancient civilizations and their religious systems. If I misinterpreted you, then I apologize. The point I was trying to drive at was that there is the form of the government, at least in those days, was not a function of belief systems; it was, rather, a function of necessity in governing their respective land masses. As to the value of avoidance of an official state religion, unless it is "my" religion ;)-->(the reader should feel free to substitute his name for "my," as he feels fit), it is, of course, a bad idea. In this light, we are in agreement. As I said above, "I believe that in this regard, we would be wise not to emulate the ancients, wouldn't you agree?" The above paragraph should be read in light of the following definition of religion, From the Wikipedia article on "Religion."

Yes, but it is still as irritating as Cowgirl's musical thread. ;)-->

Although you bring up some good points, sir, I believe that a little bit of clarification may be necessary in order to keep this in the proper context. First of all, the government of Rome: Rome was initially a kingdom. It was a republic for approximately 500 years. It then, under Caesar Augustus, became an Empire, with successors being determined by heredity. During the republican era of Rome, there was an aristocracy. Only the patricians were senators. So, it was hardly a universally elected representative government, as we would recognize one today. Second of all, the religion of Rome: While you are absolutely correct on the religion being Pagan, it should be noted that there was no such thing as separation of Church and State. The head of State was the head of the (Pagan) Church. Rather similar to modern Iran. Minority religions, such as Judaism and Christianity, were tolerated to different degrees, depending upon the political climate of the time. When the level of tolerance was down, they were wholesale killed. As for Greece, the political norms depended upon which city-state you are referring to, as each city-state had its own government. Of course, Athens adopted a democratically-elected representative government (of course, only aristocrats could hold office). Sparta was, of course, a kingdom (with a more oligarchial administration, granted). Corinth was a kingdom, until it was destroyed by Rome. When the Romans rebuilt it, they formed its government to resemble that of Rome. As with Rome, though, there was none of this silly "separation of church and state" stuff. The point being that if you are trying to draw a comparison between this country and ancient Rome and Hellas, it is important to remember that there were different forms of government based upon convenience. It is equally important to remember that one cannot talk about "civil government" versus "religious." They were one in the same. I believe that in this regard, we would be wise not to emulate the ancients, wouldn't you agree?

Gee...I love the claims on this stuff. Here is the patent from the US Patent and Trademark Office: Patent 6,521,248. Lets see: - It cures Edema - It cures Emphysema - It cures Congestive Heart Failure - It cures sinus infections and prevents colds, flu, and allergies - It even removes stains from fabrics (claim #53) That's some pretty neat stuff!

Actually, Valerie, I am concerned about the politically-correct preference provided to non Christian religions. The fact that any one religion is being government-subsidized over others. Frankly, I would be just as concerned if it was a Baptist charter academy, a Wiccan charter academy, or a Buddist charter academy. However, I do not concur with your broad-brush accusations about Muslims. I personally know too many of them that are as abhorant about the situtation going on in the M.E. these past few years as many Christians are. I do acknowledge that there are a huge number of them that are being taught terrorism. But to swipe all of them with that brush is about as ignorant as saying that all Jews control the banking system and have a plot to control the world through the Rothschilds or saying that all Catholics are pedophiles or saying that all Southern Baptists are klansmen. Mind you, you are fully entitled to your view and I am not trying to dissuade you from it. I just would prefer not to be associated with it.

Abi, no I didn't miss the point of the article. The point I was making was that if a Christian or Jewish group tried doing the same, exact thing...but substituting Christian or Jewish culture, practices, making time for prayer, etc.,...and simply not teaching formal religious education...they would be blown out of the water. Didn't you hear about that teacher in Cupertino, California, who was prohibited from passing out the Declaration of Independence in his classroom because it cited a reference to God? Haven't you heard how much the Thanksgiving story has been perverted in recent years? And, as far as Christmas is concerned, my wife is an elementary teacher (5th grade) and works in the public schools here. And ya know what? No Christmas decorations allowed. Seriously. And I'm not talking manger scenes and angels, I'm talking frosty and santa! (Mind you at the same time, she was required to take a special training class featuring the use of a cucumber as a teaching aid) And, btw, the schools don't take August 14th as a holiday nor do they take December 8th. And it has happened when spring break hasn't lined up with Easter. Not every year, but it has happened. And, although December 8th is an important holiday in some religions, students within those religions are not given any consideration for that fact. However, teachers are "discouraged" from scheduling tests during Eid and parents wanting to take their kids on Hajj are given an automatic excused absence. And no I am not kidding nor am I over-exaggerating. Holiday programs? They have holiday programs? They have a winter band concert around here (no holiday music allowed, thank you) for the high schoolers but, a holiday program? For elementary school kids? I've lived in this county for 5 years and have never heard of such a thing. Sorry. (Having said that, my kid was in a play called "Three Wise Men and a Baby" -- but that was through the Church, not through any kind of public school) I am glad that your school system in Mich. is more liberal than the one in Md. and tolerates such things. And, again, I fully believe what you are saying that a Christian group is allowed to open a charter school using public money, under the conditions you state. But, I would just like to see one example, somewhere. Just one. That's not too much to ask, is it? Just one.

JM, check your private topics. Thanx.

Vickles, I agree 100% with you -- if the school receives absolutely no public funding -- then all well and good. But the original article I cited said that the school was originally going to be a private school, but that the prospective students couldn't afford it. So this private school sponsored it, but they made it a charter school "which is publicly funded and can charge no tuition." Now, Vickles, I have no problem with that still (believe it or not), just as long as if that kind of option was available to other religious groups, as well. Including Jews. Including Catholics. Including Sikhs. Including Baptists. As long as the government doesn't sponsor one religion's efforts above another religion's efforts, I really don't have an issue with it in any way. But, I still would love to know if another religious group (other than Muslims) was able to sponsor a charter school up there in Minnesnota.

Well, non-Catholic students around here still have to go to Mass. (Don't know about the high schools, though). Honestly, I am not sure whether the District parochial schools (who receive voucher students) are allowed to keep their priority scheme or not. That would be quite a hoot if a kid within the parish was not allowed to attend because a non-Catholic voucher kid bumped him/ her.

I have no idea about that for charter schools (except as I indicated above). As for parochial schools (which are run by the diocese, not the government), the discrimination runs by family, by parish, and by religion. In other words, the first priority is if siblings are already students there, then if the applicant's family is a member of the parish, then if the applicant is Catholic. Otherwise...race, handicap, etc., they do not. (But, since the schools are sponsored by the diocese and are subsidized by the parish, I don't think there should be an issue) Likewise, I cannot speak about Muslim schools that operate in this area (there are a few that are funded by the Saudi embassy). I have never been curious.

Simon, thanks for that. Yes, it sounds like "charter" schools in AZ operate considerably differently than they do here. Here in MD (Prince George's County, to be specific), charter schools are owned and operated by the school district, but are run with a specific curriculum option in mind (and they have considerably more flexibility than normal schools). For example, there are "traditional academies" that offer a discipline and structure rich environment, montessori academies, french immersion academies, IT academies, etc. They have to, as you say, cover the basic minimums on the core curriculum, but are very, very flexible in everything else...Just as a point of interest, they were used as an alternative to mandatory bussing here, in order to attract kids from a certain demographic profile into areas with other demographics (if you think I'm kidding, you should have seen the catalog and application -- that was the first criterion for who could apply for one of those programs). In the District of Columbia, they also have charter schools, which basically operate under the same premise (as a point of trivia, Jenna Bush is going to start teaching in one of them shortly). But, starting this year, they also started a proper "voucher" program for kids in some of the worst DC schools. Those vouchers could be used in any school the parent wanted, public, private, or parochial. There was a HUGE controversy over that, as they didn't want Catholic schools in the district to get any of the district's money. (Of course, the kids in DC Catholic schools actually learn to read, write, speak, compute, etc. and for about $3,500 a year cost as opposed to over $10K for public schools...but that's a different issue). So, I'm glad to see that some states run their charter programs more closely to how DC is running their voucher program, as opposed to how MD is running their charter school program. Thanks

Thanks. Here in MD all they do is provide secular textbooks (and that is HOTLY contested in the legislature every year). No transportation. See, I remember when I was a kid going to school in Stillwater, that we used to drop kids off on the way home for CCD class, but that was a long time ago and it was exactly along the school bus route already. The charter status (taxpayer funded) still freaks me out though.

Oh, and btw, I have no problem with this school, if Catholics can establish Catholic charter schools with the same parameters, Hassidic Jews can establish Hassidic charter schools, etc. But, somehow, I think that somebody would object if that was the case.

It says that this school concentrates on Middle East history more extensively.

I know about African-American charter schools. We have them around here, as well. See, Abi, what shocked me about this article was that it was based, not upon Somali culture (which would, of course, be legit), but upon Islam. My understanding was that charter schools could be based upon anything EXCEPT religion. When you made that statement, it blew my mind. Oh, and I remember reading about your children and I really feel for you. My daughter was bored out of her gourd all through elementary school (and that was in a parochial school -- I'd have hated to see her in a public school).

You - are - kidding, Abi. You actually have a Christian-based Charter school in your area? Really? I am shocked. Seriously. Can you tell me the name of the school and the town its in (please)? Not that I doubt you, but I want to see if its existence has been challenged, yet.

And now that we're not cross-posting, then you're right upon my re-read. So, please accept my apologies.

Or, otoh, if you are saying that you're OK if the Archdiocese of Mpls-St Paul sponsors a publically funded charter school that emphasizes Catholic culture, allots time for kids to say the Rosary daily, gives them "Immaculate Conception," "Maundy Thursday," and "Assumption" off, and maybe once a week allows the kids to be excused to go to the church next door for eucharistic adoration (if they'd like), you're OK with that, as well? (Of course, the kids would still have to go to CCD at their own parish) Edit to add publically funded charter and to acknowledge a cross-post, sorry.

OK, so its OK if its Muslim, then. And if the ACLU doesn't go after it, then its constitutional. Gotcha.

OK, so tell me what is wrong with this situation here? Its OK for a Muslim school to use public funds? So I haven't lived in the People's Democratic Republic of Minnesota for 25 years -- those of you who do, is there such a thing as a publically funded Catholic school?

Next week, I'll try to extract some database, web, and EDI questions from a HIPAA security assessment dataset we have for doing assessments. Send me a PM with your e-mail and I'll shoot it over to you.

I agree with the VPN solution that bluzeman proposed. Not particularly familiar with Sonicwall, but, one thing to remember is that a two-factor security is needed on the client side. A solution that provides that is the familiar RSA Keyfob. Another is an iKey (http://www.safenet-inc.com/products/tokens/ikey1000.asp). Now, if you use role-based security on your database, you can control access through the user table on the database...you can kill access with a single keystroke (more on that below) Also, one thing that some vendors will try is saying they are "HIPAA Certified." This is what HHS says about "HIPAA Certified" hardware and software: Question Is HHS going to create and publish a list of Federally “certified” security software and off-the-shelf products? Answer While HHS will not produce such a list of security software and off-the-shelf products, it should be pointed out that other Government agencies such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are working towards that end. The health care industry is encouraged to monitor the activity of NIST and provide comments and suggestions when requested (see http://www.niap.nist.gov.). HHS HIPAA FAQ Web Site There are specific requirements in the HIPAA Security Rule and the Privacy Rule that must be considered...certain vendors have set their solutions up to be compliant with those requirements, if installed and used per vendor instructions, but there is NO SUCH THING as HIPAA-certified software or hardware! Anyway, the other thing I would concern myself with is the configuration of your application, the topography it will ride upon. I would suggest that you use a n-tier configuration, with the web server running in the DMZ (no duh, of course) and the database itself behind another firewall. Have the servlet be the only entity that has access to the database directly. Configure the database to use a role-based access and grant NO ONE access to the tables directly...only through views. Therefore the users establish a VPN connection to the web server (accessible only through the VPN tunnel, not just simply establishing a SSL connection) and the web server accesses the database. The users are not allowed direct access to the database, itself. The use of role-based security on your database can ensure that only authorized users are granted access...and then only to the entities and attributes they need to see (defined by the various and sundry views you create when designing the database). You grant them privileges on a least-privilege basis (they must be GRANTed access to any view, rather than REVOKEing access to those views they don't need). Also, if you are informed that an employee is terminated, it is a simple matter to take them out of the user file and they lose everything...even if they take their keyfob, iKey, or whatever with them. That the kind of stuff you're looking for?

Flow: It has been YEARS since I read that. Thanks. I needed the laugh.